You will have to forgive the fact that I'm neither a dog or a cat person. For all we know God could have a pet sitting on His lap at the throne! That said, I have simply run into too many people who were self described animal lovers, from personal pets to wanting to save the whole of the animal kingdom. Sadly, I have known too many who were mean and ugly people otherwise. I'm sure that in Heaven we couldn't cross the line of worshiping pets or animals in general. For me there has always been a healthy line that seems to be crossed over. In short, non animal lovers will never understand animal lovers, and vice versa! TR TR, much of what you have stated holds a lot of validity. As humans we seem to naturally go way overboard with everything from holding on the golden calves to crystals to animal worship. I love dogs and horses, my husband is a cat person, a few of my grandsons have turtles, snakes, rabbits, dogs, and cats. That all being said, it totally amazes me the overall worship of the domesticated household pet. I don’t hold to animal or human cruelty but I’m also not convinced that we will have our special pet in heaven with us. Animals do not have the breath of God to be a living eternal soul. I have a sweet friend who told me, she prayed her dog would die before the rapture as she just couldn’t bear the thought of him left here. I just kept my mouth shut and smiled, prayed for her to love God more than the dog. I am excited to be able to ride a horse behind the conquering King of Kings :prayer-hands: Well ... I have high hopes of seeing my dogs again in heaven ... God gave us stewardship roles to take care of our pets and I trust it will continue in the next life as well. I also prayed for my pets to be in heaven with me, I consider them good gifts from the Lord. :whistle: James 1:17 Proverbs 12:10 Matt 7:7 Hebrew 11:6 Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord". Psalm 148 Psalm 36:6 ... O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. Rev 5:11-13 "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing." And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Revelation 21:5 Here is something to ponder ... the animals were in the midst of paradise of God’s garden when God created Adam and Eve. The animals were along side with Noah and his family on the ark as God judged the world. The animals were in the midst of the stable when Jesus was born in the flesh. ————————————— Romans 8:18-22 says that the whole creation was subject to suffering and futility because of human sin. The creation groans in longing for the liberation that will come to humans, and thereby to all creation itself. Creation is under man’s dominion and will share the rewards of his redemption just as it shared the punishment for his sin. Animals are a central part of that creation, next to man himself the most significant part. After all, besides his wife, Adam was called upon to give names only to one other part of the creation–the animals (Genesis 2:19-20). He worked the garden, but he wasn’t invited to name the vegetation. Clearly, the animals had certain qualities that set them above other creation. They were to be special to man, and his naming them makes his connection with them personal. - Fair Use- Geri7, all that you bring to the table is true. No doubt there will animals during the Millenium. I am not arguing against animals in Heaven or in God's workmanship of them. The animal realm is truly a great part of the Lord's creation and eschews His creativity! The animal realm as a whole is a wonder. Indeed even in prophetic language animals are highlighted! This is not only an emotional issue for many, but is also a politically correct one here on the Earth at this time. And for those that desire to have pets to love in Heaven that would be a joy! Truly not wanting to take anything away. For me it's all about balance and perspective as these have been skewed in this life. And if we are quoting scripture, we are instructed to love one another. TR My final word on this matter because this is a hard saying. And is only for those who can receive it! Again the Word tells us to love God, our neighbor and ourselves as God loves us, love our enemies and one another. Then the Word tells us not to love the things of this Earth. We are to have regard for the animals in our care, but never are we told to love them. TR
Genesis 1:24-25
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
The godly care for their animals
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.
"And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."
Quote from Randy Alcorn
